ITMO University () is a state-supported university in Saint Petersburg and is one of Russia's National Research Universities. ITMO University is one of 15 Russian universities that were selected to participate in Russian Academic Excellence Project 5-100 by the government of the Russian Federation to improve their international standing among the world's research and educational centers. In 2022, the university was ranked #365 in the world by QS World University Rankings, and #601 by World University Rankings by Times Higher Education. In 2021, it was ranked #718 in the world by Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report, and #901 by Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Research priorities of ITMO University are concentrated in information and photonic technologies. The university consists of four main schools, 14 faculties, and a number of institutes and research centers. As of 2020, the total number of students was over 12,500, with 2,450 being foreign nationals. In 2014, the university employed 1,163 instructors, including over 800 PhDs. Many of its staff members and researchers have received government awards and designations of “honored science worker,” the highest in Russia. Vladimir Vasilyev has been the university's Rector since 1996. History The university's birthday is considered to be 26 March 1900, when a Mechanics, Optics and Watchmaking Department was opened in the Prince Nicholas Vocational School. At the time it was the only school in the Russian Empire that prepared specialists in these areas. The first year, some 65 applications were received for 30 places. Eighteen students were admitted to Watchmaking and 18 to Mechanics and Optics sections. 1917 – 1941 In 1917 the Mechanics, Optics and Watchmaking Department became its own entity - Petrograd Technical College for Mechanics, Optics and Watchmaking. Norbert Boleslavovich Zavodsky became its headmaster. In 1920, most of its classes were transformed into Petrograd College for Fine Mechanics and Optics (later – Leningrad). The municipalities allocated a building for it in Demidov Pereulok (Pereulok Grivtzova). The colleges’ manufacturing facilities made a variety of complex optical and fine mechanics products. The first in USSR group of instrument engineers graduated here in 1931. In 1930, the college was transformed into Leningrad Training Center, and in 1933, Leningrad Institute of Fine Mechanics and Optics (LIFMO) became a separate college. Its first research laboratory was established in the Department of Optical Glass Technologies. Thanks to research here the USSR could